Cabinet approves 8% DA hike for Central Govt employees

The Union Cabinet sanctioned an8% increment in DA (Dearness Allowance) for Central Government employees and dearness relief to pensioners from 72% to 80% effective January 1, 2013. The verdict to lift DA will lead in an extra burden of Rs 8,269.20 crore on the exchequer. Counting the arrears for the January-March period, the entire burden on the exchequer for the 14-month period till February 2014 would be Rs 10,067 crore.